Motor-driven gun-carriage.



W. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1917.

1 ,297,4:4L5 Patented Mar. 18,1919.

3 SHEET SHEET 1- MZZWAM w. CHRIS-TIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. I917.

1 ,297,445. Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Mafia W. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV,2l. 1917.

Patented M111. 18,1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- 5 vwewfoz WALTER CHRISTIE, OF WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY.

MOTOR-DRIVEN GUN-CARRIAGE.

mamas.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER CHRISTIE, a

. citizen of the United States, and a resident .of lVeehawken, county ofHudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Motor-Driven Gun-Carriages, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part thereo My invention relates to motor driven gun carriages, andits object-is to provide a simple and rugged automobile mounting forcomparatively heavy guns, by means of which such ordnance may be quicklymoved from place to place, and on which the gun is so mounted andsupported that it may be adjusted for all-around fire and may be givenany desired elevation. Another object is to so construct the carriagethat the gun may be discharged from it in any of its po- I sitionswithout any especially prepared base, without dislocating its positionand without disturbing its adjustments.

These and other objects of my invention will be set forth hereinafter,and in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same in the following specification, and thenpoint out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motordriven gun carriage madeaccording to and embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same apparatus with the gun and itsmounting removed.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of certain parts of the device, the view beingtaken from the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, thesection being taken on the line 6-6 of the latter figure.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

10 designates the side frames of the central portion of the apparatus.These are spread apart as shown in Fig. 2. to embrace a circular guncarriage base 11 in which are a plurality of bolt holes 12 equallyspaced Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 18, 1919.Application filed November 21, 1917. I

Serial No. 203,208.

upon a circular line. 13 are transverse beams and 14 are angle brackets.All of these parts are securely fastened together. Over the frame thusformed and surroundmg the gun carriage base is a plate plat form 15.

Secured to the forward ends of the side frames 10 are front plates 20which are curved upwardly immediately in front of the side frames andthen extend horizontally as shown in Fig. 1. These are connected by atransverse beam 21 and by a front fender bar 22. On these front platesare supported an internal combustion engine 23, a radiator 24, asteering wheel 25, control and brake levers 26 and 27with theirrespective mechanisms, and a drivers seat 28 under which is a fuel tank29.

The engines shaft is connected through suitable transmission gearingwith two sprocket wheels '30 and 40. The first of these is connected bya chain 31 with a sprocket wheel 32, a. clutch and differential gearing33 on a shaft 34 by means of which it may be connected with ordisconnected from driving pinions on the ends of shaft 34 which are inmesh with internal gears afiixed to the front wheels 35. These frontwheels are centrally pivoted on vertical stub axles 36 on the ends of anaxle 37 and flexible joints are provided between the driving shaft 34and the pinions so that the wheels may be steered by a rod 38 connectedby suitable mechanism with the steering wheel 25 without interferingwith the drive, as more fully described in Patent No. 1,203,647 November7, 1916.

The sprocket wheel 40 is connected by a chain 41 with a .sprocket Wheel42 on a front jack shaft 43 which is raised to clear the front' wheeldrive mechanism. On. one end of jack shaft 43 is a sprocket wheel 44connected by chain 45 with a sprocket wheel 46 on a lower transverseshaft 47 on which is a similar sprocket wheel 48. A chain 49 connectsthe latter sprocket wheel with a sprocket wheel 50 on a short shaftlocated in the center of one of the side frames 10. On the same shortshaft is another sprocket wheel 51 from which a chain 52 runs back to asprocket wheel 53 on one end of a rear jack shaft 54:. On the other endof jack shaft 54 is another sprocket wheel 55 which is connected by achain 56 with a sprocket wheel 57 on a differential gearing 58. This 1'on the ends of shaft 59 and internal gears on the rear wheels 60 anddriving connection is completed. In neither the front or rear wheels arethese pinions and gears shown as they are not a part of the presentinvention and including them would only complicate the drawings. 61 isthe axle upon which the rear wheels 60 are supported.

On the rear driving shaft 59 are flanged extends from the drivers seat28 down to the front end of the platform plate 15.

70 is a standard gun mounting, in this case for a marine type 3-inchrifle designated by 71. The base of this mounting is a circular flangeprovided with bolt holes which register with the holes 12 in the base11. 72 is a gun support bracket removably fastened to the rear of thevehicle frame.

. Rigidlyafiixed to the side frames 10 and to the gun carriage base, areheavy brackets 80. Supporting truss arms 81 are pivotally connected withthese brackets 80 at 82. A cross pin 83 passes through each of thesetruss arms near their outer ends. A. heavy bolt 84 has an eye at one endthrough which the pin 83 passes and its other end portion is providedwith a left hand screw-thread. 85 is a similar bolt pivoted at one endas at 86 to the bracket 80. Its other end portion is provided with aright-hand screw-thread. These two bolts are joined by an intermediatemember 87 which is internally threaded to engage the threads of bolts 84and 85. It is also provided with projections 88 by means of which it maybe rotated. These parts 84, 85 and 87 form an adjustable brace for thetransverse arm 81.

90 is a flat shoe supported at the end of a truss arm by a ball andsocket joint 91. It has cross ribs 92 and 93 on its upper side whichserve to strengthen it and the latter rib is provided with two openingsthrough -which may be driven spikes 94- which are made of T-iron pointedat one end as at 95.

At the front and rear of the vehicle other adjustable braces areprovided. Those at the front are mounted in guides 100 on a plateaffixed to the front plates 20. 101 is slide in these guides, and 1.02is a shoe similar to shoe 90. connected with the lower end of slide 101by a ball and socket joint 103. 1.04 is a screw which fits in internalthreads in the upper part of the slide 101. A bevel gear 1.05 mesheswith a similar gear 106 on a short shaft, the outer end of which issquared for the reception of the hub of memes a crank handle bv means ofwhich the screw 104 may be turned to adjust the slide.

The adjustable braces at the rear of the vehicle are similarlyconstituted and are designated by the reference numeral 110.

It is obvious that this apparatus may be moved from place to place underits own power. The frame of the vehicle is so constructed that a muchlarger foundation for the gun carriage is provided than is possible on atruck made according to former practice and that the base for this gunmounting is much lower than is possible with former constructions. It isof great importance that a structure of this kind be propelled by allfour of its wheels. In order to accomplish this result with an enlargeddepressed base for a gun mounting, it has been found necessary to makethe driving connections between the motor and the wheels at the oppositeend of the vehicle base around the side of the gun mounting in 'a mannerwhich I have shown and described. When the vehicle with the gun thereonhas reached the desired position the truss arms 81 are placed inposition with the shoes 90 resting upon the ground and with the spikes94 in place, after which the adjustable braces therefor are turned tomake a rigid connection between the base for the gun mounting and theground.

The adjustable braces at the front and rear of the vehicle are alsomoved into position to exert a desired amount of pressure upon thesurrounding ground. The whole structure then becomes a rigid and firmsupport for the gun and its mounting.

The flanged drums 62 are provided for use as power driven winches bymeans of which chains or cables attached to some rigid object may bewound to pull the vehicle over obstacles or out of ditches or the like.

i do not mean to limit myself to any specitic form or construction ofparts or intend. no limitations other than those imposed by the appendedclaims.

What :5: claim is:

1. in a motor driven gun carriage, a ve' hicle frame having raised.front and rear portions, vehicle wheels upon said portions. a motortransmission mechanism connecting said motor with all of said wheeis,and a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rearportions, adapted to receive a gun mounting, the transmission mechanismto the wheels near the end opposite the engine being extendedtransversely at said wider intermediate section.

2. in a motor driven gun carriage, a vehiele frame having raised frontand rear portions. a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame. drivingconnections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to mamas steer the apparatus, a pair ofvehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having alower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portionsadapted to receive a gun mounting, and driving connections between themotor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediatesection.

3. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, drivingconnections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehiclewheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lowerintermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted toreceive a gun mounting, and driving connec tions between the motor andthe rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, and awinch drum in said driving con nections near said rear wheels.

4. in a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, amotor on said front portion of the frame, adjustablewheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections betweenthe motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting saidwheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rearportion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate sectionwider than said front and rear portions comprising a circular base,adapted to receive the base of a gun mounting, a. plurality oftransverse shafts and interconnecting chains between the motor and therear wheels, arranged to provide a driving connection offset at saidwider intermediate section, and winch drums in said driving connectionnear said rear wheels.

5. ltn a motor driven gun carriage, a "ehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, vehicle wheels upon said portions, a motor,transmission mechanism connecting said motor with all of said wheels,and a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rearportions, adapted to receive a gun mounting, the transmission mechanismto the wheels near the end opposite the engine being extendedtransversely at said Wider intermediate section, and adjustable trussarms connected with said frame, adapted to form rigid supports betweenthe frame and the ground.

6. ln a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, drivingconnections between the motor and the ad ustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehiclewheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lowerintermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted toreceive a gun mounting, driving connections between the motor and therear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, truss armsconnected with the sides of said intermediate section, and adjustablebraces therefor under said truss arms.

7. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, a mot-or on said front portion of the frame,adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, drivingconnections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehiclewheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lowerintermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted toreceive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor andthe rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, trussarms connected with the sides of said intermediate section, adjustablebraces therefor under said truss arms, and adjustable braces on saidfront and rear portions of the frame.

8. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear port-ions, a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjust-able wheels on said front portion of the frame, drivingconnections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus,- a pair of vehiclewheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lowerintermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted toreceive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor andthe rear Wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, trussarms connected with the sides of said intermediate section, adjustablebraces therefor under said truss arms, adjustable braces on said frontand rear portions of the frame, flat shoes at the ends of said trussarms and front and 'rear braces and universal joints between said shoesand the truss arms and braces.

9. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjustable wheels on said front portion ofthe frame, driving connectionsbetween the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjustingsaid wheelsto steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rearportion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate sectionwider than said front and rear portions adapted. to receive a gunmounting, and driving connections between the motor and the rear wheelsextended laterally at said intermediate section, truss arms connectedWith the sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces thereforunder said truss arms, adjustable braces on said front and rear portionsof the frame, fiat shoes at the ends of said truss arms and front andrear braces, universal joints between said shoes and the truss arms andbraces, said shoes having slotted T shaped ribs, and T shaped spikessharpened at one end adapted to be driven into the ground through saidshoes.

10. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised frontand rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame,adjustable Wheels on said front portion of the frame, drivingconnections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual meansfor adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehiclewheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lowerintermediate section wider than said memes front and rear portionscomprising a circular base, adapted to receive the base of a gunmounting, a plurality of transverse shafts and interconnecting chainsbetween the motor and-the rear Wheels, arranged to provide a drivingconnection offset at said wider intermediate section, and winch drums insaid driving connection near said rear wheels, truss arms connected Withthe sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces therefor undersaid truss arms, adjustable braces on said front and rear portions ofthe frame, fiat shoes at the ends of said truss arms and front and rearbraces, universal joints between said shoes and the truss arms andbraces, said shoes having slotted T shaped ribs, and'T shaped spikessharpened at one end adapted to be driven into the ground through saidshoes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 19 day of November,1917.

A WALTER CHRISTIE.

